The Bangalore Palace (Utilisation and Regulation of Land) Act, 2025 establishes a framework for utilising the 472-acre Bangalore Palace property acquired by the state under the 1996 Acquisition Act. The new law grants the state government authority to use any portion for infrastructure projects, including 15 acres required for widening Bellary and Jayamahal Roads.

Compensation will be based on valuation under the 1996 Acquisition Act, calculated proportionate to the original acquisition value, overriding any court rulings suggesting higher market-based valuations. Compensation takes two forms: monetary compensation and Transferable Development Rights (TDRs), both proportionate to original valuation.

The Act protects past compensation payments and bars refunds or additional claims from claimants who already received payments. Government officials enforcing the law gain legal immunity for actions taken in good faith. The Act overrides all existing conflicting laws and court rulings.

In December 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that TDRs must be granted for land marked for road widening based on prevailing guidance value under the Karnataka Stamp Act, 1957, creating financial burden on the state. The Bangalore Palace land dispute dates to the 1996 Acquisition Act, with the erstwhile royal family (Wodeyars) contesting the acquisition in court.

The Karnataka Cabinet on Friday decided to issue an ordinance to use Bangalore Palace Grounds land for road widening, per Law Minister HK Patil. The government will file an affidavit in the Supreme Court on the decision.

The Bangalore Palace (Acquisition and Transfer) Act was enacted in 1996, fixing land value at Rs 11 crore for 472 acres (approximately Rs 2.3 lakh per acre). The Mysuru royal family challenged validity in High Court; the High Court upheld the government decision and the family appealed to Supreme Court.

In December 2024, the Supreme Court ordered state government to pay compensation based on existing guidance value of Rs 3,014 crore (Rs 200 crore per acre) to develop 2 km of road for Jayamahal Road and Ballari Road widening using Transfer Development Rights (TDR).

The government decided to issue an ordinance instead, stating paying Rs 3,014 crore would endanger government finances and state development. The government has already paid Rs 11 crore as decided in 1996. Going forward, the government will not issue TDR for this land.

Bengaluru traffic restrictions and congestion are expected on October 2, 2026, during a Gandhi Jayanti rally starting at 9:30 a.m. from Sir Puttanna Chetty Town Hall. The march will travel via Kempegowda Road and end at Mysore Bank Circle. Town Hall, Hudson Circle, NR Square and KG Road junctions may be congested; police may divert vehicles through parallel roads and underpasses. Palace Road may also see delays. Parking near Town Hall and Mysore Bank will be restricted.

Use Chickpete station on the Green Line for Town Hall, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda (Majestic) for line transfers, or MG Road on the Purple Line as an alternative. Smart cards can help avoid token queues. Check Bengaluru Traffic Police and Bengaluru City Police X updates; BMTC helplines are 080-22483777 and 080-22952522. Call 112 for emergencies. Consider changing travel between 9:30 a.m. and noon, using public transport, and following signed routes, including via Palace Road or Cubbon Park.